U.S. Senate candidate Republican Ted Cruz participates in a live debate held in the LeRoy and Lucile Melcher Center for Public Broadcasting at the University of Houston on Thursday, May 3, 2012, in Houston. (AP Photo/Houston Chronicle, Mayra Beltran)

Photo: Chron, MBO

U.S. Senate candidate Republican Ted Cruz participates in a live...

Nick Lampson announces his candidacy for the 14th congressional district seat in the U.S. Houston of Representatives Monday, Feb. 27, 2012, in Texas City. Lampson, who held a seat in congress during the 1990s, in the redrawn district that includes Galveston and Jefferson counties. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle )

Early voting ends Friday for the Nov. 6 election, and you need to be more than a spectator. Make sure you cast your ballot either during this period or on Election Day. Below are our endorsements in selected races:

-- President - Mitt Romney, R. Barack Obama certainly faced no shortage of challenges, but it's time for a change. This country needs a stronger economic recovery and a better commitment to deficit reduction.

-- U.S. senator - Ted Cruz, R. We initially supported Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst for this seat, but Cruz made a believer out of us and many voters with his grit and determination.

-- U.S. Rep., District 14 - Nick Lampson, D. Lampson has a solid track record as a moderate who works hard for Southeast Texas.

-- U.S. Rep., District 36, Max Martin, D. He's a former airline pilot with an impressive record as an entrepreneur. He's also not Steve Stockman.

-- 136th District Court Judge, Jefferson County - Milton "Mickey" Gunn Shuffield, D. He has been doing a strong job for 17 years on this bench and is board-certified.

-- Tax Assessor-Collector, Jefferson County - J. Shane Howard, R. Howard has brought energy and innovation to this office and county government in general.

-- Lumberton alcohol sales - for. This overdue change could help bring national chain restaurants to the region's fastest-growing city and provide some tax revenues too. Non-drinkers can still abstain, but others should be able to make their own decisions about ordering drinks with a meal or buying take-out beer and wine.